Is there a direct flight from Tel Aviv to Thessaloniki?

Yes. There are direct flights from Tel Aviv, and a route from Haifa is due to open. Details in our flights to Thessaloniki guide; fares update every morning on the flights page.

Is there Chabad in Thessaloniki?

Yes, at Salaminos 9, with prayers, a mikvah, Shabbat meals by registration and the kosher Hashalom restaurant.

When is the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki open?

According to the city's tourism site: Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri 9:00–14:00, Wednesday also 17:00–20:00, Sunday 10:00–14:00. Closed on Saturday.

How many days should I spend in Thessaloniki?

Two or three days cover the city, including the Jewish route. Add a few days in Chalkidiki if you want beaches.

How do I get from Thessaloniki airport to the centre?

By city bus or taxi. Within the city, a metro line has run since November 2024.

Is the Holocaust Museum in Thessaloniki open?

Not yet. The construction contract was signed in January 2026, and opening is expected in 2028.

Are there strikes affecting travel to Thessaloniki?

Yes, 1 announced strike(s) may affect travel. Details on this page.

Thessaloniki guide: things to do, Jewish heritage & flights

Why visit Thessaloniki?

Thessaloniki is Greece's second city, a port on the Thermaic Gulf with a long waterfront, excellent food and student life. Founded in 315 BC, its Early Christian and Byzantine monuments, from the 4th to the 15th century, were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. For Israelis it has special meaning: for centuries it was one of the world's most important Jewish cities, the "Jerusalem of the Balkans".

How to get to Thessaloniki

There are **direct flights from Tel Aviv** to Thessaloniki airport (SKG), and a route from Haifa is due to open. Who flies, flight time and schedules: flights to Thessaloniki guide. Fares update every morning on the flights page.

From the airport to the city centre, take a city bus or a taxi. Within the city, a **metro line** with 13 stations has run since 30 November 2024.

Top things to do in Thessaloniki

The waterfront and White Tower: the city's symbol and a good start for a seaside walk.
The Arch of Galerius and the Rotunda: Roman monuments from around 300 AD in the city centre.
The Byzantine churches, including Agios Dimitrios, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Upper Town (Ano Poli) and Byzantine walls: lanes, old houses and views over the gulf.
The Jewish route: the Jewish Museum, the Monastirioton synagogue and the Holocaust memorial in Eleftherias Square.
Aristotelous Square: the main square, opening onto the sea.
Food: pastries, meze and fish, plus the nightlife of a student city.
A day trip or a few days on Chalkidiki's beaches.

Jewish Thessaloniki

After the expulsion from Spain in 1492 Thessaloniki became a centre of Sephardic Jewry, and in 1613 Jews were about 68% of its population. In 1943 about 50,000 Jews were deported from the city to Auschwitz, and more than 90% were murdered. About 1,200 Jews live there today. Visit the **Jewish Museum** (closed Saturday), the **Monastirioton** synagogue (by arrangement) and the Holocaust memorial in **Eleftherias Square**. The **Holocaust Museum of Greece** is under construction near the old railway station, with opening expected in 2028. All details, hours and prices: the Jewish community of Thessaloniki.

Shabbat & kosher in Thessaloniki

**Chabad of Thessaloniki** is at Salaminos 9 in the city centre, with daily and Shabbat prayers, a mikvah, and Shabbat and holiday meals by registration on jewishthessaloniki.com. The kosher **Hashalom** restaurant is at the same address, with meat and dairy catering for delivery. All Chabad houses in Greece: Chabad in Greece. Kosher restaurants: kosher food in Greece.

Day trips from Thessaloniki

**Chalkidiki** is the classic beach escape: Kassandra is under an hour from the airport, Sithonia about an hour and a half. Which to choose, the best beaches and Mount Athos entry rules: our Chalkidiki guide. For mountains and monasteries, add Meteora.